2022 Racial Truth & Reconciliation: Just Futures for Children & Young People Priorities
The pandemic as a trauma in parallel with the inadvertent impact of cultural, racial, and historical trauma creates collectively experienced compound trauma across generations. Creating a sense of belonging and a just future for Virginia will require intersectional approaches, including equitable, trauma-informed, and just policies that dismantle systemic barriers so that all young people have access to leading long, healthy, and successful lives.
Bill(s) We Support:
Language Access Equity Report & Interagency Work Group| SB 270| Senator Hashmi| Establishes the Interagency Language Access Working Group in the Office of the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with the following membership: the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Director of the Office of the Children’s Ombudsman, the Governor’s Secretaries, and six nonlegislative citizen members representing organizations that represent individuals with language access needs. The Working Group is established to maximize state policies, resources, technical assistance, and procurement practices to further language access and equity in the Commonwealth and its state government agencies. The bill also requires each state agency to designate a language access coordinator who will be responsible for the agency’s annual language access report, the requirements of which are set out in the bill. The Secretary of Administration is directed to establish criteria for state agencies to procure language interpretation and translation services and to establish a policy for compensating multilingual state employees who are required as part of their job to provide interpretation, translation, or other bilingual skills at least once a month. There is another version of this legislation in the House, HB 1049|Delegate Tran.
- Status: HB 1049 was left in the House Appropriations Committee. SB 270 ultimately met its fate in the House General Laws committee.
Language Access Talking Points.
Language development for children who are deaf or hard of hearing| HB649| Delegate Carr| Requires the Department of Education, in coordination with the Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, to (i) select, with input from an advisory committee that the bill establishes, language developmental milestones and include such milestones in a resource for use by parents of a child from birth to age five who is identified as deaf or hard of hearing to monitor and track their child’s expressive and receptive language acquisition and developmental stages toward English literacy; (ii) disseminate such resource to such parents; (iii) select existing tools or assessments for educators for use in assessing the language and literacy development of children from birth to age five who are deaf or hard of hearing; (iv) disseminate such tools or assessments to local educational agencies and provide materials and training on their use; and (v) annually produce a report that compares the language and literacy development of children from birth to age five who are deaf or hard of hearing with the language and literacy development of their peers who are not deaf or hard of hearing and make such report available to the public on its website.
- Status: Referred to Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee.
Language development for children who are deaf or hard of hearing; assessment resources for parents and educators| SB 265| Senator Hashmi| advisory committee; report. Requires the Department of Education, in coordination with the Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, to (i) select, with input from an advisory committee that the bill establishes, language developmental milestones and include such milestones in a resource for use by parents of a child from birth to age five who is identified as deaf or hard of hearing to monitor and track their child’s expressive and receptive language acquisition and developmental stages toward English literacy; (ii) disseminate such resource to such parents; (iii) select existing tools or assessments for educators for use in assessing the language and literacy development of children from birth to age five who are deaf or hard of hearing; (iv) disseminate such tools or assessments to local educational agencies and provide materials and training on their use; and (v) annually produce a report that compares the language and literacy development of children from birth to age five who are deaf or hard of hearing with the language and literacy development of their peers who are not deaf or hard of hearing and make such report available to the public on its website.
- Status: This bill was heard in the House a 2nd time and is due for a third reading where it will likely pass.
Monitor: Creates Secretary of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Governor’s Office| SB 153| Senator Locke| Eliminates the position of Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Office of the Governor and establishes the position of Secretary of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, to be appointed by the Governor and to assist the Governor and Governor’s Secretaries in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion at the state level. The bill outlines the responsibilities of the Secretary. The bill makes several changes in Code to reflect the new position by eliminating references to the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and replacing these references with the Secretary of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
- Status: The committee recommended referring to the committee on appropriations.
Public schools; English language learners| HB 1184| Delegate Guzman| Requires state funding to be provided to support new division wide ratios of English learner students in average daily membership to full-time equivalent teaching positions, as follows: (i) for each English language learner identified as proficiency level one, one position per 25 students; (ii) for each English language learner identified as proficiency level two, one position per 30 students; (iii) for each English language learner identified as proficiency level three, one position per 40 students; and (iv) for all other English language learners, one position per 50 students.
- Status: Laid on the table; left in education committee.
Public schools; English language learners |SB 156| Senator Hashmi| Public schools; English language learners. Requires state funding to be provided to support new divisionwide ratios of English learner students in average daily membership to full-time equivalent teaching positions, as follows: (i) for each English language learner identified as proficiency level one, one position per 25 students; (ii) for each English language learner identified as proficiency level two, one position per 30 students; (iii) for each English language learner identified as proficiency level three, one position per 40 students; and (iv) for all other English language learners, one position per 50 students. Under the bill, in order to provide additional support for instruction of English language learners, $150 shall be appropriated in year one to divisions for each English learner student to support professional development of instructional and support staff, purchase resources developed for students learning English, and offer grants to community-based organizations that offer support services to English language learners in school settings.
- Status: Continued to 2023.
Language development for children who are deaf or hard of hearing; assessment resources for parents and educators; advisory committee; report|HB 649| Delegate Carr| Requires the Department of Education, in coordination with the Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, to (i) select, with input from an advisory committee that the bill establishes, language developmental milestones and include such milestones in a resource for use by parents of a child from birth to age five who is identified as deaf or hard of hearing to monitor and track their child’s expressive and receptive language acquisition and developmental stages toward English literacy; (ii) disseminate such resource to such parents; (iii) select existing tools or assessments for educators for use in assessing the language and literacy development of children from birth to age five who are deaf or hard of hearing; (iv) disseminate such tools or assessments to local educational agencies and provide materials and training on their use; and (v) annually produce a report that compares the language and literacy development of children from birth to age five who are deaf or hard of hearing with the language and literacy development of their peers who are not deaf or hard of hearing and make such report available to the public on its website.
- Status: Referred to Senate Finance and Appropriations.
Budget Amendment(s) We Support:
Language Access & Equity Report| Item 56 #1h| Executive Office| This amendment provides funding in both years for House Bill 1049, which establishes the Interagency Language Access Workgroup in the Office of the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the Office of the Governor. The workgroup is to maximize state policies, resources, technical assistance, and procurement practices to further language access and equity in the Commonwealth and its state agencies.
- Status: The Senate version of the budget included 3 additional full time exempt staff for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Additionally, the Senate retains the full funding proposed to implement new language access initiatives while the House reduces funding for a total of $2.5 million each year.
Language Access & Equity Report| Item 56 #1s| Executive Office|This amendment provides $50,000 GF each year for costs associated with SB 270, introduced for consideration by the 2022 General Assembly, which would establish the Interagency Language Access Working Group in the Office of the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
- Status: The Senate version of the budget included 3 additional full time exempt staff for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Additionally, the Senate retains the full funding proposed to implement new language access initiatives while the House reduces funding for a total of $2.5 million each year.
ARPA Funding for Translational Services| Item 486 #13h| Central Appropriations| This amendment provides $2.5 million each year from American Rescue Plan Act funds to create a grant program for localities to apply for funding to help translate information related to the availability of childcare, housing, healthcare, transportation, taxes, and other government services and benefits. The information would be translated into languages other than English that are most commonly used by residents of that locality. Translated information may include pamphlets, fact sheets, public service announcements in print or radio, websites, web applications, and other communication, outreach, and marketing tools and activities intended to reach residents of that locality and inform them of the availability of key government services and benefits
- Status: The Senate version of the budget included 3 additional full time exempt staff for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Additionally, the Senate retains the full funding proposed to implement new language access initiatives while the House reduces funding for a total of $2.5 million each year.
ARPA Funding for Translational Services| Item 486 #18s| Central Appropriations| This amendment provides $5.0 million the first year from American Rescue Plan Act funds to create a grant program for localities to apply for funding to help translate information related to the availability of childcare, housing, healthcare, transportation, taxes, and other government services and benefits. The information would be translated into languages other than English that are most commonly used by residents of that locality. Translated information may include pamphlets, fact sheets, public service announcements in print or radio, websites, web applications, and other communication, outreach, and marketing tools and activities intended to reach residents of that locality and inform them of the availability of key government services and benefits.
- Status: The Senate version of the budget included 3 additional full time exempt staff for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Additionally, the Senate retains the full funding proposed to implement new language access initiatives while the House reduces funding for a total of $2.5 million each year.
Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing – Resources for Parents and Educators- HB 649| Item 130 #2h| Office of Education| Item Out of this appropriation, $170,000 the first year and $70,000 the second year from the general fund to support language development resources for families and educators working with children who are deaf or hard of hearing, pursuant to House Bill 649.
- Status: The House & Senate budget included funding to support language development resources for families and educators working with children who are deaf or hard of hearing $170,000 for FY 2023 and $70,000 for FY 2024.
DOE – Establishment of Advisory Committee for Language Development for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SB 265)| Item 130 #1s|Office of Education|This amendment provides $170,250 GF the first year and $70,00 GF the second year to support the Department of Education, in coordination with the Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, to establish an advisory committee that will develop a resource that parents of deaf or hard of hearing children, up to age five, may use to monitor the language development of their children, pursuant to passage of Senate Bill 265.
- Status: The House & Senate budget included funding to support language development resources for families and educators working with children who are deaf or hard of hearing $170,000 for FY 2023 and $70,000 for FY 2024.
Direct Aid – English Learner Teachers| Item 137 #10h| Office of Education|This amendment maintains the current English learner (EL) teacher ratio of 20 such teachers per 1,000 identified EL students. The introduced budget proposed increasing the staffing standard to 20 EL teachers per 1,000 EL students, for an additional $10.3 million the first year and $11.7 million the second year from the general fund.
- Status: The House version of the budget maintains the current English learner (EL) teacher ratio of 20 such teachers per 1,000 identified EL students. The introduced budget proposed increasing the staffing standard to 20 EL teachers per 1,000 EL students, for an additional $10.3 million the first year and $11.7 million the second year from the general fund.
Governor’s Budget Item(s):
Racial Reconciliation Events & Programming: Provides funding for Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion event planning, marketing, contracting, and supplies for events such as Juneteenth, the First African Landing event at Fort Monroe, Racial Truth and Reconciliation week, potential crisis community conversations, and any other related Governor’s Office events, $15,000 the first year and $15,000 the second year.
Language Access: Provides GF funding to state agencies to facilitate and improve language access, $7.9 the first year and $2.9M the second year.
Language Access & Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: Provide funding for language access and equity efforts: Provides funding and four positions within the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) for a Deputy Diversity Officer for Immigrant Integration, an Assistant Director for Access/Functional Needs for People with Disabilities, and two American Sign Language interpreters to support the Office of the Governor and ODEI, $543,036 4 FTE positions the first year and $543,036 with 4 FTE positions the second year.
Creates A Benefit Navigator Program: Funds a pilot program in the Office of New Americans that competitively award grants to immigrant‐ and refugee‐serving organizations. These grants will provide intensive case management to limited English proficiency individuals to assist them with applying for critical public services. Grants also will be competitively awarded to refugee resettlement agencies to ensure that immigrants and refugees receive equitable services by expanding the agencies’ capacity to provide legal services, case management, and assistance finding health care, housing, education, and employment. The budget includes a total of $8M and two restricted positions are funded for the duration of the pilot to handle the administrative needs of the program.
Integrated E-referral system: Provides appropriation to contract for an integrated e-referral system. The purpose of the system is to connect government agencies, health care providers, and community-based partners to enable participants in the system to refer patients to public health and social services, $8M for the first year and $8M for the second year.
Read the full 2022 RTR Policy Agenda.
2022 Health & Wellness Legislative Priorities:
Health Care Access Priorities
- Support “Cover All Kids” proposals to extend health insurance to children who may lose coverage at the end of the public heath emergency and to expand coverage to undocumented children.
- Policy changes to align with federal continuous eligibility processes that will allow children enrolled in Medicaid/FAMIS to keep coverage without time-consuming and confusing redetermination processes.
- Implicit bias training for medical professionals in alignment with PUSH Coalition (Virginia Interfaith Center)
Read our full 2022 Health & Wellness Policy Agenda.
2022 Maternal & Infant Health Legislative Priorities:
Virginia has made significant progress in supporting policies to address disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes by improving access to health insurance for more pregnant women and creating a Medicaid-funded doula benefit. However, given the significant disparities that still exist in maternal and infant health for Black mothers and their children, more work is needed.
Maternal Health Priorities
- Ensure the full implementation of maternal health insurance coverage policy changes, including FAMIS prenatal coverage implemented in July 2021 as well as the 12-month postpartum coverage and doula benefit planned for spring 2022.
- Expand access to home visiting services for pregnant women and new moms by creating a Medicaid-funded benefit.
- Establish local pilots for “Maternal Health Hubs” of community-based, collaborative models focused on supporting pregnant women with their financial, health, and mental health concerns.
- Establish an interagency Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Team to evaluate health outcomes for pregnant women and newborns.
Read our full 2022 Maternal & Infant Health Policy Agenda.
2022 Food and Nutrition Access Legislative Priorities:
Children can learn and thrive when they are fed and have access to healthy and nutritious foods. While significant efforts to improve food security have been in place during the pandemic – including increased access to SNAP, Pandemic EBT and universal school meals – many children in Virginia lack access to healthy and affordable meals. Policy solutions must include increasing economic access to healthy and nutritious foods by investing in retail infrastructures and programmatic initiatives to combat food deserts.
Food & Nutrition Access Priorities
- Fund Produce Rx Program to provide Medicaid reimbursement for healthy foods.
- Increase support for the Virginia Food Access Investment Program Fund
- Support the Virginia Fresh Match Program
Read our full 2022 Food and Nutrition Policy Agenda.
2022 Child Welfare & Foster Care Legislative Priorities:
The child welfare system has not provided enough support to kinship caregivers and to young people aging out of foster care. One barrier to recruiting more kinship caregivers into the formal system is that they may not qualify for financial support and services if they have been convicted of a barrier crime. In addition, youth exiting foster care have great difficulty attending post-secondary education and gaining employment due to a variety of issues.
Child Welfare Priorities
- Improvements to the formal kinship system to allow more families to participate by providing additional resources to facilitate placements. Remove barriers to participation and placement with foster families by addressing the list of crimes that prevent individuals from becoming foster placements, even when crimes are far in the past.
- Support for the Great Expectations program at community colleges to serve more students or recruit students.
- Replacement of the outdated child welfare data management system.
- Further implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act to prevent children from entering foster care and continued efforts to recruit and retain a child welfare workforce.
Read our full 2022 Foster Care Unified Policy Agenda.
2022 Early Childhood & Education Legislative Priorities:
Parents have to pay too much for child care and early childhood professionals have earned too little. To solve this dilemma, we need more public investment in a mixed-delivery system of early education and preschool that must include home-based providers, private child care centers, and public schools. We must also measurably improve compensation for early childhood professionals and provide more support for families needing infant and toddler care.
Early Childhood Care and Education Priorities
- Stabilize the child care sector by encouraging the use of grants and contracts, particularly for settings ideal for infants and toddlers and in child care deserts.
- Maximize participation in state-funded Virginia Preschool Initiative programs by improving flexibility to support public-private partnerships and to recruit and retain qualified professionals.
- Make the COVID-era changes to eligibility for the child care subsidy program permanent, including higher income eligibility, allowing for eligibility during job search, and reducing/eliminating parent co-pays.
Read our full 2022 Early Childhood and Education Policy Agenda.
2022 Mental Health Legislative Priorities:
Offering mental health support for children should be normalized whenever and wherever the need arises — with a health care provider, at child care, school, and within the community. Better access for children to receive care from diverse and qualified professionals is needed. Services should be culturally appropriate as it relates to language access, workforce diversity, and other identities children and youth may embrace including religion, race and ethnicity, and gender identity. This requires opportunities to eliminate barriers and to increase incentives and supports to get qualified professionals in the behavioral health and mental health workforce pipeline.
Mental Health Priorities
- Attract a diverse workforce by offering incentives to enter the behavioral health field, achieve licensure, and receive appropriate compensation.
- Increase community-based funding for mental health initiatives, such as additional resources for comprehensive services at Community Services Boards and enhanced Medicaid reimbursement rates at public and private providers.
- Connect schools and mental health providers by encouraging collaboration among systems and between clinical providers and schools to offer more intensive, Tier 2 & Tier 3 supports.
- Provide resources in state government and state agency leadership to work across systems to address children’s mental health and to maximize Medicaid funding.
Read our full 2022 Mental Health Policy Agenda.
2022 Family Economic Security Legislative Priorities:
Improvements in childhood poverty in Virginia was stagnant before the pandemic and today’s poverty levels remain the same. There is inadequate relief targeted to communities of color, not moving the needle to address disparities by race or region. Achieving economic stability in the future will require new considerations of safety net support by removing work eligibility requirements, removing time limits, and offering more flexible uses of economic support.
Priorities Under Consideration:
- Eliminate work participation requirements for child care assistance and reduce work participation sanctions for cash assistance (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or TANF).
- Ensure flexibility in the timeframe that eligibility is determined and redetermined for child care, cash assistance, or health insurance.
- Additional funding to promote tax filing resources and outreach to benefit families who have earned too little for child tax credit, and newly eligible young adults for the expanded Earned Income Tax Credit.